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Meet the People of GHTA

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Our Students

We interview about 100 women each November and select 50 new students who start in January.

When we interview and choose students, we strive to meet these goals:

  • Women over 30 with extreme economic challenges and families to support

  • Priority is given to single mothers who have only primary education

  • Goals of opening a small business, or finding better employment

  • The ability and commitment to attend classes, do homework, and study hard

Our Team The GHTA FAMILY

Meet the School and Program

Our School

At Give A Heart To Africa, we run a free Adult Education Centre where disadvantaged women learn basic business skills, English, math, and vocational skills.  The school runs Monday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon (local time).  Each class is co-taught by a volunteer (or volunteers) in combination with a local Tanzanian teacher/translator.

OUr Program

English Classes

English is the (unofficial) second language of Tanzania, and knowledge of English opens up job opportunities for women. Many jobs require employees to speak English, especially if people will interact with tourists. The students we accept into our school come with varying levels of English, depending on their previous schooling.  

Our English classes are divided into three groups. We teach the same core curriculum to all groups, however, the pace and progress is different. 

 

Group 1 has limited or no knowledge of the English language. They rely more heavily on our Tanzanian English teacher to explain concepts and the students require more practice. This group moves more slowly through the curriculum and learns the basics of English within six months. 

 

Group 2 and 3 have a basic or good grasp of the language.  They are able to move more quickly through the lessons and to learn more, and more difficult, English concepts.

 

In all 3 groups, we incorporate conversation classes.  These classes allow the students to practice having conversations in English and try out the concepts they have learned in class that week. These conversation classes are wonderful for our students and our volunteers to learn more about each other’s lives and cultures.

 

Business Classes

Many Tanzanian women operate small businesses as a way to support their family, but often lack a basic understanding of the concepts of business operation. With this new knowledge, our students are equipped to operate more successful business and better support their families. The business curriculum is structured to equip students with enough knowledge to help them start a small business.

 

The curriculum was developed from business and marketing classes and textbooks in Canada and tailored specifically for the realities of business in Tanzania. The students learn the basics of accounting, sales, and marketing. Students also have to write a Business Plan and a Marketing Plan during the course, and have to execute 3 hands-on assignments. 

 

Vocational Skills Classes

Our students learn various hands on skills which they can turn into a career or small business upon graduation. Currently, we are teaching the students how to sew, make various arts and crafts, soaps, candles, tye dye fabrics. Some of the new skills our students have learned have come from our volunteers’ experiences, skills and passions. The skills our volunteers share with our students often give them arts and craft ideas which are new to Tanzanian culture. We very much welcome when volunteers come and share their unique skills with our students and our students appreciate it as well.

Math Classes

Our students learn basic mathematical skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as how to solve problems related to business accounting. 

 

Childcare Program

Mary, a previous GHTA graduate, makes sure the mamas can focus on their school by caring for their pre-school children while they are in the classroom learning. 

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